GB WhatsApp FAQ – Common Questions & Answers 2026

After you install the APK and verify your phone number, GB WhatsApp connects to WhatsApp servers like the official app. Extra menus and settings are layered on top by the mod developer. Updates come from APK files, not Google Play.

Common extras include hiding online status and blue ticks, downloading statuses, custom themes, extended file sizes, and anti-delete message options on some builds. Exact tools depend on the version you install.

GB WhatsApp is maintained by independent mod developers, not Meta. Brand names belong to their respective owners. GBWaps is an informational site and does not claim to own the app.

Yes. New APK builds are released regularly under names like GBWhatsApp, GBWA, or similar forks. Always download the latest build from a source you trust and avoid dead mirror links.

Tap the download button on the GBWaps download hub. Use your browser or file manager to open the saved APK. Enable “Install unknown apps” for that app when Android asks.

Check the version number on our download page (for example v18.80) and match it on the file you save. Older APKs may fail login or miss recent anti-ban patches from the developer.

The APK is typically free. Some third-party sites charge or bundle malware—avoid them. GBWaps does not sell the app; we list file info and safety notes only.

Use known sites with clear version labels, avoid shortened links in social DMs, scan the APK with Play Protect or VirusTotal when possible, and never grant accessibility to unknown “helper” apps.

Back up chats inside WhatsApp settings before switching. Install over an existing mod with the same package name when possible. If you uninstall official WhatsApp first, restore from Google Drive or local backup during setup.

Find the GBWhatsApp icon in your app drawer. On first launch, accept permissions for contacts and storage, then enter your country code and phone number to receive the SMS or call verification code.

Activation means completing phone verification and optional restore from backup. Use the same number you want on the mod. If the code never arrives, wait a few minutes and check troubleshooting steps.

Restore backup if prompted, set your profile photo and name, then open GB settings (often via menu ⋮) to tune privacy and anti-ban options. Start with conservative settings before enabling every hide feature.

Calls still use WhatsApp infrastructure, but mods can add unknown code paths. For highly private calls, many users prefer the official app. Keep the mod updated and do not sideload extra plugins.

Millions still use mods, but ban and malware risks remain. Use the latest APK, moderate forwarding, and a secondary number if you are testing. Read our anti-ban guide before enabling aggressive privacy toggles.

The app is not sold on Google Play and Meta discourages unofficial clients. Accounts can be temporarily or permanently restricted. That is different from the app being illegal in every country—check local laws yourself.

Many users do with backups and careful habits: update often, avoid mass spam, do not mix unknown plugins, and keep work or banking conversations on official WhatsApp if policy requires it.

Update to the latest build, avoid bulk forwarding and unknown link blasts, keep anti-ban settings at recommended levels, and warm up new numbers with normal chat patterns before heavy automation.

If Meta shows “temporarily banned,” wait it out and do not reinstall repeatedly. For “permanent” messages, appeal through official WhatsApp help if available, or use a new number only where terms allow.

Reasons include spam reports, automated messaging, suspicious login, outdated mod signatures, or policy violations. Meta does not publish every rule, so follow community best practices and official Terms of Service.

Developers patch how the client identifies itself to servers and may throttle risky actions. No setting guarantees zero bans. Treat anti-ban as risk reduction, not a warranty.

Go to privacy settings and turn off “online” or enable “freeze last seen.” Some builds let you stay online while appearing offline to others. Test with a friend account before relying on it.

Many mods raise the media cap above official limits. Compress very large files if upload fails, check mobile data limits, and ask the receiver to update their mod if they cannot download.

Use the sticker panel like official WhatsApp, plus extra packs from GB menus on some versions. Import third-party packs only from sources you trust to avoid malformed files.

Open chat → menu → lock chat, or use GB privacy → fingerprint/PIN lock. Set a recovery email or PIN you will remember; losing it can block access to locked threads.

Some builds expose extra status viewing options. Ethics and local law matter: viewing hidden content without consent can violate trust or policy. Use features responsibly.

You cannot search a global directory. You only chat with contacts who already use WhatsApp or GB on their number. Invite friends by sharing your number normally.

Avoid third-party “detector” apps—they are often scams. Direct ask or observe consistent mod-only features is safer than installing spyware tools.

Power users may guess from message metadata or call UI differences. Meta may detect unofficial clients server-side even if friends cannot see which mod you use.

Clear app cache, reboot the phone, install the latest APK over the old one, and disable battery optimization killers for GBWhatsApp. If crashes persist, back up and reinstall cleanly.

Check signal, airplane mode, SMS filters, and that you entered the correct country code. Request call verification, wait before retrying, and avoid too many attempts in one hour.

Enable unknown sources for the installer app, free storage space, uninstall conflicting clones, and delete a broken partial install before trying a fresh APK download.

Test Wi-Fi and mobile data, confirm you are not banned, check WhatsApp service status, and update the mod. Clock skew on the device can also break encryption—enable automatic date and time.

No official GB APK exists for iPhone. iOS does not allow this sideload pattern without jailbreak, which is risky and unsupported here. Use official WhatsApp on iOS.

Our current guide lists Android 4.4+ for v18.80. Features like scoped storage on Android 11+ may need extra permission steps during install. Check the download page for the latest requirement line.

WhatsApp allows linked devices on official apps; mods vary. Often one primary phone holds the main session. Read your build’s notes before expecting full multi-device parity.

Not as a safe mainstream download. App Store only hosts official WhatsApp. Ignore sites promising “GB WhatsApp iOS IPA” unless you fully accept jailbreak and security risks.

Open GB settings → Help → App info, or About. Compare the number with the version published on GBWaps. Mismatched builds are a common cause of login errors.

Back up locally and to Google Drive if you use it, download a fresh APK, uninstall only if an overlay install fails, then reinstall and restore backup when prompted.

Android Settings → Apps → GBWhatsApp → Uninstall. Chats may remain in backup files on storage or Drive. Export important media before removing the app.

During setup, tap Restore when asked and pick Google Drive or local backup. Use the same phone number. If restore fails, check storage permissions and backup file date.